In one of the city photography galleries the proprietor
had a show case in which he exhibited pictures which the sitters failed to call for, he labeled it,
"Shades Of The Departed."

~ Abraham Bogardus, 1895 ~

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

One Of The Most Sensational Photographs Of Its Time

Twice Told Tuesday features a photography related article reprinted frommy collection of old photography books, magazines, and newspapers.Photographs You Like to See in the Newspapers

Adventures men have in getting these pictures, and the kinds of pictureswhich have the greatest appeal to the publicBy Bert E. UnderwoodMr. Underwood is president of Underwood & Underwood, Inc.1921

Mayor Gaynor Seconds After Being Shot1910

SOMETIMES a photographer is aided by a remarkable bit of luck. This was strikingly illustrated in the attempted assassination several years ago of the late Mayor Gaynor of New York, just as he was about to sail for Europe.

One camera man was late in reaching the pier. By the time he arrived there the boat was about to sail, and most of the other photographers had exhausted their plates. Just as he was leveling the camera the late comer noticed an odd fellow in the crowd take out a revolver and cock it. Supposing that it was a plain-clothes man about to fire a salute, he waited for the report. Suddenly he was horrified to see that the man was aiming at the mayor instead of into the air. Before he could even utter a warning shout the shot had sped on its way. But he had enough presence of mind to release the shutter of his camera. The print showed the mayor staggering back into a friend's arms, with the blood already beginning to run down his face.

More To The StoryfootnoteMaven

The photographer was William Warnecke of the Evening World. The photographs were exclusive, but there was no mention of the name of the photographer.

Aug. 9, 1910, William Warnecke had been given the assignment to cover New York Mayor William J. Gaynor leaving for a European vacation on the SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse.

At eight, Warnecke packed his camera and plates for the 9:00 a.m. assignment. It was only a few miles away in Hoboken, New Jersey. As he was leaving he met another staffer, Hughie O’Neill, who was having trouble with a feature assignment. Warnecke said he would make the shot on the way to the Gaynor assignment.

O’Neill’s assignment had been to take a photograph of a Fire Department horse laughing. New York City was replacing the animals with newly purchased, motor driven fire engines. Warnecke found a fire horse and tried everything he could think of to get a picture of the horse laughing. Time was running out. Finally he gave the horse caramels and in attempting to get rid of the gummy mess the horse wriggled his lips making it look as if he was laughing.

Warnecke was very late and all the photographers were gone or leaving. He took a test shot. He focused for the second shot when a squat, stout man approached Gaynor from behind. He fired, but it was a misfire. He fired again shooting Gaynor in the neck. Warnecke got a photograph of Gaynor being struck by the bullet. The gunman, a disgruntled unemployed sanitation worker was wrestled to the ground, hands bound, and dragged off the ship to a waiting car. Warnecke ran ahead and got this photograph. He then ran back and got the final photo – Gaynor being carried off the ship. (The Mayor did not die this day, but three years later from complications stemming from the shooting.)

As you can see in the photograph, blood gushed down the Mayor’s beard dripping onto the collar and front of his suit. It is said that the World’s city editor Charles E. Chapin exulted: “What a wonderful thing! Look! Blood all over him – and exclusive, too!

Sources:

Underwood, Bert E. "Photographs We'd Like To See In The Newspapers. The American Magazine. November 1921.Ellis, Robert. The Epic of New York City. New York, NY: Carroll & Graf Publishers, 2005.Faber, John. Great News Photos and the Stories Behind Them. New York : Dover Publications, 1978.

Photograph:

Faber, John. Great News Photos and the Stories Behind Them. New York : Dover Publications, 1978.

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About Shades Of The Departed

I have been collecting photographs for over twenty years. This blog will discuss that collection, the types of categories I've developed for that collection, and the types of photographs I collect.
I will also share with you what I've learned or am learning about scanning, creating a database, analyzing and dating my collection, and anything else that strikes my fancy related to photography and my collection.

About The Collector

I am fascinated by the clues left in the photographs I collect. Every picture is a miniature mystery and I love a mystery.

My grandfather was a photographer who traveled with the famous Burton Holmes. I am fortunate to have original photographs by
both men.

When I was ten my grandfather gave me a camera as a birthday gift. It was evident that I did not inherit the "photographer gene."
I have taken only one photograph in my entire life that I liked, but I know a good one when I see it.

I am a great appreciator.

Fortunately, I don't take myself too seriously. I know enough about
collecting photographs to know I don't know everything, but I am learning.